A Feeling About You

CHAPTER 4: Rekindled Friendship

As I step into the bustling halls of my new high school, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. It's my first day, and I hope this fresh start will help me understand and control my unique ability.

I enter the classroom for the first period and find solace in observing from the back of the classroom, where I quietly embrace the world of literature in my favourite class-English. Here, I indulge in stories, adventures, and characters without the overwhelming weight of everyone's feelings pressing down on me.

Among the sea of students, I spot Kai. His presence brings a swirl of emotions within me-excitement and curiosity intermingled.

What are the odds? We met a lot sooner than I thought we would.

"Hey, Adira! Is this seat taken?" Kai inquires, his warm smile surrounded by soft, pastel hues.

Although my introverted nature often prefers solitude, I know that Kai is an exception. He doesn't know about my chroma empathy, but his friendship means the world to me. "No, it's not taken," I reply with a gentle smile as he settles into the seat beside me.

Once the English class commences, I allow myself to be drawn into the magic of storytelling. Mr. Martinez's words are a brush of artistry, painting vibrant images in my mind. Amidst the enchantment, I can't help but notice the colours of emotions swirling around Kai. His excitement emanates a vivid shade of amber, reminiscent of a warm summer sunset.

As a chroma empath, I can feel and share the emotions of others, and in Kai's presence, I find myself syncing with his feelings. His enthusiasm becomes mine, and I relish the sense of camaraderie that envelops me.

"Alright, class, settle down," Mr. Martinez announces, his playful and quirky nature evident in the way he claps his hands twice for attention. "Today, I want to foster a sense of community among all of you. In this competitive school, it's easy to get caught up in the academic race, but let's not forget the value of making friendships."

He leans against his desk, giving us a warm smile that instantly puts us at ease. "As adults, it gets harder to form those meaningful connections. So, right now, I want you to turn to the student sitting beside you and share three books you both enjoyed. It could be anything-fantasy, mystery, romance, or even graphic novels. Let's take a moment to appreciate each other's interests and discover common ground."

Glancing around the room, I notice my classmates exchanging curious looks but eventually following the teacher's instructions. I turn to my right to find Kai sitting beside me. He grins and raises an eyebrow as if to say, "Well, this could be interesting."

"I've been reading a webcomic recently," I say, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. "It's called 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo.' Have you heard of it?"

Kai's eyes light up, and a wide smile spreads across his face. "No way! I love 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'! I was totally drawn to how quirky and intelligent she is, and her determination to achieve her goals despite the challenges of having autism is inspiring. I'm all caught up with the latest episodes!"

When I look at Kai, his aura is a mesmerizing blend of warm shades-gentle hues of magenta, green, and a soft blush of pink. It's as if he's emitting a genuine excitement that complements the enthusiasm in his voice.

Relief washes over me as we connect over our shared love for the Webtoon. It's such a relief to find someone who enjoys the same things, and it's even better that it's Kai, my childhood friend.

"It's addictive, right?" I laugh, feeling a sense of camaraderie between us. "I can't get enough of Attorney Woo's witty charm and how she uses her unique perspective to solve cases."